Improving the housing, care, and experimental welfare of rabbits used in biomedical research.
Laboratory rabbit welfare has historically been poor, with species-specific behavioral needs systematically overlooked in standard housing designs. Wire flooring, individual housing, and barren environments contradict what we know about rabbit natural behavior and social needs. Recent guidance updates in the EU and US have moved toward requiring social housing and environmental enrichment, representing genuine welfare progress. However, implementation depends on institutional commitment and researcher education, and compliance varies substantially across facilities. The ultimate welfare goal is replacement of rabbits with non-animal research methods.